M23 rebels take control of the town of Masisi — RT in French

The Rwandan-backed M23 rebellion took control of the eastern DRC town of Masisi after heavy fighting with Congolese armed forces and local Wazalendo self-defense groups.

On January 4, the M23 rebels, who operate in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), took control of the town of Masisi, capital of the eponymous territory.

The offensive by this group supported by Rwanda comes after several days of violent clashes in this strategic area, according to UN radio Okapi which cites local sources, between the M23 insurgents and the Congolese armed forces (Fardc ), supported by the Wazalendo self-defense groups.

Faced with the violence, large numbers of residents were forced to flee, mainly around Masisi General Hospital, while others headed to areas considered safer, such as Nyabiondo and Bukombo.

“It is with dismay that we learn of the capture of Masisi center by the M23,” provincial deputy Alexis Bahunga, elected from Masisi, declared to a French press agency, before calling on Kinshasa to intervene.

“We ask the government to take concrete measures to restore state authority throughout the territory,” he said, stressing that the region is plunged “in a serious humanitarian crisis.”

The M23 extends its influence

A video, allegedly filmed in Masisi-Centre, circulated on social networks, showing heavily armed M23 militiamen in military uniform, organizing a meeting in front of a handful of residents.

In this video, the M23 rebels claim to have come to “liberate” the local population. This statement was relayed on X by M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka.

Last December, in the space of three weeks, M23 took control of five villages in Masisi territory, North Kivu province, including Shugi, Kinigi, Kaniro and Mululu.